If you want to liven up your holiday party try one of my favorite
casseroles. While most of your guests may never heard of Chayote
before they will never forget how great it tastes. A common theme at
all holiday parties is to bring a new and unique dish that will amaze
and please your guests. Once you have used Chayote squash and have
discovered its great ability to absorb the flavors of the ingredients it
is combined with to present a new and unique taste with each dishyou
will find a new place in your menus for it.
Chayote is also called mirliton, vegetable pear and other names in other countries, such as guisquil in Guatemala, where I first learned to use this squash. It is a relatively flavorless fruit, generally used as a vegetable. Similar to zucchini, its lack of specific flavor makes it an excellent choice to mix with other more flavorful ingredients. It is excellent as a side dish, and can even be made into a dessert. This is one very savory way I like making this into a side dish for my family.
Chayote and Goat Cheese Casserole
In a bowl, combine the milk and sour cream with a whisk. Whisk in the salt and white pepper. Pour over the casserole. Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 45 minutes more, until the squash is tender. Makes 6 servings.
Chayote squash grow on a vine. They are easily grown by planting the entire fruit, which will need a support for the vine to climb. It is from the cucurbita family as are pumpkins, gourds and other squash. Grow your own and have a bounty of this lesser used fruit for your family and friends. A wonderful filler food, it can be added to soups, stews, or mixed with potatoes in a dish or casserole. The squash may also be used in place of potatoes in your favorite scalloped potato dish, reducing the high carb load of the potatoes.
Thank you for taking the time to read my article. I hope it was informative and helped you along your own culinary journey.
Chayote is also called mirliton, vegetable pear and other names in other countries, such as guisquil in Guatemala, where I first learned to use this squash. It is a relatively flavorless fruit, generally used as a vegetable. Similar to zucchini, its lack of specific flavor makes it an excellent choice to mix with other more flavorful ingredients. It is excellent as a side dish, and can even be made into a dessert. This is one very savory way I like making this into a side dish for my family.
Chayote and Goat Cheese Casserole
- 3 chayote squash, halved, cored, peeled and sliced thinly
- 4 ounces mild goat cheese
- 1/4 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons green peppercorns in brine
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
In a bowl, combine the milk and sour cream with a whisk. Whisk in the salt and white pepper. Pour over the casserole. Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 45 minutes more, until the squash is tender. Makes 6 servings.
Chayote squash grow on a vine. They are easily grown by planting the entire fruit, which will need a support for the vine to climb. It is from the cucurbita family as are pumpkins, gourds and other squash. Grow your own and have a bounty of this lesser used fruit for your family and friends. A wonderful filler food, it can be added to soups, stews, or mixed with potatoes in a dish or casserole. The squash may also be used in place of potatoes in your favorite scalloped potato dish, reducing the high carb load of the potatoes.
Thank you for taking the time to read my article. I hope it was informative and helped you along your own culinary journey.
My passion is to teach people how to create a harmony of flavors
with their cooking and help pass along my love and joy of food. I would
love to hear from you! Join my "e-family" and share recipes, stories and
good times in the kitchen. Visit my Web site http://www.aharmonyofflavors.com my Blog or Marketplace at http://www.a-harmony-of-flavors-marketplace.com or join me on Facebook. Let me know, and I will send you a copy of my monthly news letter full of recipes the latest tips.
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